The Storm and Cowboys got their campaigns off to solid starts with first-up trial wins and they'll both want to keep rolling when they meet at Casey Fields on Saturday.
Youngsters like Nicho Hynes and Tino Faasuamaleaui starred for Melbourne as they beat the Warriors 18-16 in Palmerston North last weekend.
Meanwhile, star signing Valentine Holmes had a decent cameo and rookie hooker Reuben Cotter excelled in North Queensland's victory over Brisbane by the same scoreline.
Match: Storm v Cowboys
Round 3 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: Casey Fields, Melbourne
The Rundown
Team News
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Justin Olam, 4. Marion Seve, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Tui Kamikamica, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Harry Grant, 15. Tino Fa'Asuamaleaui, 16. Max King, 17. Albert Vete, 18. Tom Eisenhuth, 19. Darryn Schonig, 20. Nicho Hynes, 21. Brenko Lee, 22. Ryley Jacks, 23. Cooper Johns, 24. Chris Lewis.
Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, Josh Addo-Carr and Jesse Bromwich headline a powerful Storm squad. Marion Seve and Justin Olam will continue as the first-choice centre pairing as Craig Bellamy looks to settle on his team to face the Sea Eagles in round one. Brandon Smith (facial fracture), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring strain) and Christian Welch (knee rehab) are the only three big names missing.
Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Justin O’Neill, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Michael Morgan (c), 8. John Asiata, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Reece Robson, 15. Shane Wright, 16. Francis Molo, 17. Corey Jensen, 18. Mitch Dunn, 20. Connelly Lemuelu.
Captain Michael Morgan was rested against Brisbane but lines up this week for his first game of 2020. Scott Drinkwater has been rested after picking up a minor pec strain against the Broncos. John Asiata and Gavin Cooper have also been named for their first hit-outs of the season. Josh McGuire is unavailable with an MCL injury suffered at the NRL Nines.
Match: Storm v Cowboys
Round 3 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi VunivaluWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Justin OlamCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Esan Marsters
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Marion SeveCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Opacic
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Justin O'Neill
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Michael Morgan
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Cowboys is number 8 John Asiata
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron SmithHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Tui KamikamicaProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Harry GrantInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Reece Robson
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Shane Wright
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Max KingInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Francis Molo
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Albert VeteInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Corey Jensen
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 18 Tom EisenhuthReserve for Cowboys is number 18 Mitchell Dunn
-
Reserve for Storm is number 19 Darryn SchonigReserve for Cowboys is number 20 Connelly Lemuelu
-
Reserve for Storm is number 20 Nicholas Hynes
-
Reserve for Storm is number 21 Brenko Lee
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Ryley Jacks
-
Reserve for Storm is number 23 Cooper Johns
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Referee: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
The big question
Storm: Can Harry Grant take his chance? Brandon Smith's injury is likely to give the promising young hooker a shot off the bench in the early rounds. Grant was outstanding in last week's trial against the Warriors and he'll be determined to show that he deserves to remain in first grade.
Cowboys: Can Valentine Holmes hit the attacking switch? The Cowboys' new No.1 was solid but unspectacular in his club debut in the rain in Cairns but he should get more minutes this time around as he looks to fast-track his trip back to top form.
